Thursday, July 7, 2011

Responsibilities

I've been contemplating certain responsibilities of being a parent. No longer can I pretend I'm still a teenager "playing house"- I am married with our first baby very, very much on his way (any day now in fact). Shane and I are looking at things such as life insurance, making sure our superannuation accounts are consolidated, private health insurance, car insurance, and making sure our dental and health checks are up to date. We will have more than ourselves to think of from now on- and I want to make sure that our futures are as secure as possible, for the sake of our little Peanut.

Post-irrelevant, but wanted to show you very thoughtful and gorgeous gifts from my sister Benita who has arrived from the UK and NZ- cutest bear, and wireless headphones- so TV noise doesn't bother Mum & Baby. Very thoughtful eh?? Also Benita suggested the headphones would be great for me to wear to listen to music if I get stressed about Peanut crying- I can hold him and still stay calm. SUCH a good idea eh? Thanks so much Aunty Benita! Xx

Of course there's also everyday parenting responsibilities as well- making sure our baby is safe and secure at all times, making sure our home and car are safe, and making sure we are happy and live a stress-free lifestyle(as much as possible-), as stress can be the biggest killer. I am ashamed to admit I have never had any form of insurance, I've never thought it worth the expense up until now. I have also been pretty slack with getting regular dental and health checks, but now I have our son to think of. I have to make sure Shane and I are healthy so that we will be around for a long, long time to care for our son and to still be there for him when he is a grown adult.

I am booking Shane in to the dentist this week, and I will do the same for myself in a month or two after I am settled in with Peanut. We will strive to keep on top of age- and sex-relevant health checks, and others such as diabetes and skin cancer checks; as we are all told time and time again early detection is the best way to survive such things. We also need to organise our wills, with God parents named in the unlikely event that both of us should die.

I have mentioned before my dislike of paper work, but in this case I need to bite the bullet and knuckle down and get these important things done. There is more than myself to consider here, and these things are possibly the most important tasks I should have on my To-Do list over the next few months. Don't worry- I won't put pressure on myself to get all of this done with a new-born- I will just make sure they are completed when we are settled in with Peanut.

What kind of things have you organised in your life, to make sure your parenting responsibilities are taken care of? Or if you don't have children yet, what other life responsibilities have you organised for your own future?

Hope you are having a great week :-)

21 comments:

  1. I am organising for retirement where I will be living on a much diminished income. I have already bought a small cheaper home that we will move into when the time comes, planted fruit trees now so that they will be fruiting when we move, planning on putting in raised garden beds all through the yard, at a height that can be used even if we are wheelchair bound, for growing vegies and flowers. I have begun stockpiling non perishable items, buying sheets and towels while I can still afford it. I've sorted out a budget and rejigged my health insurance. We have put on solar panels to decrease our energy bills. Soon to put on solar hot water. Bought a small boat so that we can catch fish for our meals, as the house is opposite a beach. We are continually renovating the little house to better suit our needs. So when the time comes we will be ready to enjoy the good life.

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  2. That sounds absolutely wonderful Deb. You have thought of so much to ensure your future will be secure on your lower income. Well done :)

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  3. Sarndra I'm organising more at the other end of life, my Mum is 84, still reasonably fit and active but less so than in the past. My husband Tony has genetic arthritis which means he is a bit impaired but not much. So that I can look after both of them well I need to keep myself fit and well. Highly nutritious well cooked food is a priority as well as organic veg (as possible) from the garden.

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  4. We were slackers - only got our wills sorted in Jan this year (babies were 18 months) :)

    But on all the other things, I'm usually on top of things.

    Love your sister's gifts - she is thoughtful!

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  5. Hi Rose, its great you enjoy your gardening and you are looking after yourself and your loved ones at the same time. :)

    Hi Marcia, it may well take me that long too :) Your twins' party is this weekend isn't it? I hope it goes beautifully :-)

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  6. Oh yay Aunty Benita is here!!! I can't believe you only have a couple of days till your EDD!!! I'm so excited!
    We are getting better at looking after ourselves but I must admit it's taken years! We've always had contents and car insurance but skimped before on going to the dentist or optometrist until the last couple of years. I think you are just SO WONDERFUL for thinking of all of these things and being as super prepared as you are!
    Sending my love and big hugs!
    Lus x

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  7. You are a very wise girl.....especially if you get all of this sorted before peanut hatches.....motherhood has a lovely way of taking over and often you get forgotten about....somehow your needs just get pushed further and further back.....it is wise to make sure that you have sound plans in place for all eventualities and your health is a really important factor....cause you will be the glue that holds your little family together....it's quite an important almost sacred role x Chrissy

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  8. Thanks Lusi and Chrissy! Hope you both have a lovely weekend :-)
    Xxo

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  9. Well done, Sarndra (without meaning to sound patronising). So many people don't like to think about death and potential illness but, when you become a parent, you HAVE to think about it - you're responsible for someone else.

    Don't know if anyone has warned you but as a new mum, you will have 3am panic awakenings where your brain will just think "What if...?!" and go down awful avenues and your heart will literally race. So many of my friends (and me) were reassured when we shared that we all had those awful thoughts and we decided it was normal for new mums - I don't think it's a sign of depression or anxiety. I think it's just the reality of being a mum?

    But, so too is when you burst out laughing just before you fell asleep because you've just remembered the expression on your baby's face when they had a piece of sellotape stuck to their hand and couldn't shake it off...
    :-)

    Karen (Scotland)

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  10. I just visited your blog and love it. I know that you will be a great mom. My children are grown up and I sometimes feel that my job is done but it is never done. My daughters are 22 and 19 and I am still showing them how to cook and stitch. Sometimes I have fun with my older daugher by applying a facial mask. My older daughter just cleaned my closet by packing few bags to donate. I am spending more time gardening and reading. We need to update our will and we will try to do it next week. Genetic health problems are hard to control but it is not hard to take care of the health.

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  11. After visiting Rhonda Jean's blog, I know that the new world citizen has arrived. I hope you're feeling OK ??? Congratulations to you and Shane !!
    Take care and lots of the luck for you, Shane and the little one.

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  12. I've seen the news too on Rhonda's blog, congratulations to you both. Look forward to pics and stories. Nanette

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  13. CONGRATULATIONS!!! If the little bundle has a name other than Peanut, I'd sure like to know! Melissa Jean

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  14. Saw the news on Down to Earth!
    Congratulations! Hope you are all feeling happy and healthy!
    Relax for a few days and enjoy that teeny wee bundle.
    :-)
    Karen (Scotland)

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  15. Congratulations on little peanuts arrival. Fantastic!
    Deb

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  16. Congratulations - look forward to seeing photos!

    Happy new family!

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  17. Rhonda spilled the beans, but happily so!!!
    So many congratulation, good wishes and hopes that I have to add mine to the list. Wonderful news that everyone is happy and healthy. I too am looking for the pictures of the little Peanut.
    Hugs to all
    Yvette

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  18. Congratulations i'm happy that peanut has arrived safe & healthy, So well done to you :)

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  19. Congratulations Sandra! I'm hoping that everything went well and as planned, by your glowing faces on Rhonda's blog, perhaps it did!

    Best wishes, Cara

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  20. Also seen the new on Rhonda's blog- Congratualtions Sarndra! Enjoy these blissful moments together as a new family. xo m.

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  21. Congratulations to you both on your new bundle of sweetness! Hope all is going well and that you are enjoying this "getting to know you" period!

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